Why You Should Avoid Loboc Tarsier Conservation Area in Bohol, Philippines

Back in 2013, I was whisked away to Bohol by my friend, Joanne, when she gave me the opportunity to be her +1 for her sponsored travel trip (at that time, I was not running this blog yet since this was launched a year after).

We had an amazing time in that magical island in Visayas — but there was one activity we did which I realized was an unethical for-profit business, AND which I unknowingly supported… It was the time when we visited the Loboc Tarsier Conservation Area.

Let me explain….

What Is a Tarsier?

A tarsier is a primate (think apes and monkeys) that belongs to a 45-million-year-old animal family called as Tarsiidae. Their group used to be more widespread; but today, they are officially recognized as endangered species that are predominantly found in Southeast Asia such as the places of the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

As you will see from the photos in this post, they hold a distinct characteristic: a small body with BIG eyes. (The way I see it, they’re like a cuddly-looking smaller version of Yoda… Don’t you agree?) Anyhow, for the rest of this post, we will focus on the Philippine tarsier which is mainly seen in Bohol.

Here are some more interesting facts about them:

Smallest primate. The Philippine tarsier measures at around 3 to 6 inches tall; thereby making it the smallest primate there is. Naturally, they are very hard to spot in the forests.

Largest eye-to-body ratio in all mammals which gives them great night vision. During the day, their eyes can constrict until their pupil will only look like a thin line; in the dark though, their pupil can dilate and fill up their entire eye.

Fixed eyes. Their eyes are fixed into their skull so they cannot turn their eye sockets, instead their neck allows them to rotate their head 180°!

Solitary, shy, and territorial. Leading a mostly hidden life, a male tarsier needs at least 6 hectares of space and a female tarsier needs at least 2 hectares. If other tarsiers come into their territory, they will fight for it, and it can often lead to the death of the other.

Nocturnal. They become active only at night and it is only during this time that they will crost paths with other tarsiers when they hunt for their food — mostly insects.

Arboreal, meaning that they love to cling vertically to trees and branches as they leap from branch to branch.

How did tarsiers become endangered?

Because of several threats:

Habitat destruction. The dwindling of the forests which are the tarsiers’ natural habitat had truly posed a significant threat to their survival.

Human hunters & pet trades. Tarsiers don’t do well when in captivity since they can easily and quickly turn suicidal as they try to break free: they will willingly bash their heads in, which then leads to their death. Too much noise, sunlight, and physical contact from foreign things (us humans) can also over-stress them, which then leads to suicide as well.

Predators. Other than humans, some of their ‘enemies’ are house or domesticated cats, snakes, owls, large birds, and other smaller carnivores.

In order to help preserve the Philippine tarsier, a law has been passed that made it illegal to own a tarsier; unless when it is for educational and conservation purposes..

Why Avoid the Loboc Tarsier Conservation Area?

The Loboc Tarsier Conservation Area is a popular destination among tourists mainly because of its close proximity to Bohol’s famed spots like the Loboc man-made forest and the “Chocolate Hills“. It is also often a part of the packaged tours in the island, hence the reason why this became one of our experiences during our grand tour in Bohol.

My tour there was somehow interesting though (at first) since it was my first time to see a tarsier after all; but moments after we finished our tour, I had the gnawing realization that they were housing tarsiers in such poor conditions.

And as I did further research days after our trip, I even found out that they are NOT an official tarsier sanctuary!

#1 – They are a non-official tarsier sanctuary

The Philippine Tarsier Foundation is the main non-profit private organization in the Philippines that seeks to protect the Philippine tarsier. It has strong support from the two leading ecotourism organizations in the country: DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) and DOT (Department of Tourism).

With this in mind, here’s a NEWSFLASH for you: the Loboc Tarsier Conservation Area is NOT an official sanctuary area, and it is NOT supported nor run by the Philippine Tarsier Foundation.

This was pretty apparent anyway because…

#2 – The tarsiers are kept captive in poor conditions

I have heard that the Loboc Tarsier Conservation Area used to be smaller, and cages tarsiers; but at the time of my visit, they have ‘prided’ themselves for the larger space that they have and how their tarsiers are not “caged”.

However, no matter what they say or do, the fact remains that the tarsiers are held captive in this small viewing area. There may not be visible high walls to keep them in their land, but it’s apparent how they are caged before every ‘viewing day’.

You see, they have a pathway surrounding their compound which leads to certain tree spots where you can see the tarsiers. Obviously, they are placed there everyday for the tourists to see. Just look at the makeshift “roof” that each of these tarsiers have! That’s not natural… unless all these tarsiers built them or something. Ha – haaaa, no.

They seemingly can’t roam around either (I bet they control them so they don’t escape) and all of them were wide awake (remember how they should be nocturnal).

This is really no surprise since other than the factors I’ve already mentioned, the branches that they are in are somehow very close to the tourists — to give people the better chance to take photos of them of course. Hence, the tarsiers are basically subjected to human presence and noise for almost every minute and THIS would surely cause them constant stress!

Stress = high death rate = less chances of reproduction.

If I may add, these tarsiers who are perched on their own branches were in such close proximity to one another, which then goes against their need for ample territorial space. (Well, this place was a small area after all.)

Naturally, because of these reasons and more, I do NOT recommend visiting the Loboc Tarsier Conservation Area.(Additionally, I’m just wondering why this area continues to exist because by law, owning tarsiers is illegal unless its for educational and conservation purposes. Though this place may claim itself as a conservation area, their conditions are far from ‘conserving’ the tarsiers — so I beg to differ.) .

What is a Better Alternative?

If you still want to see the endangered Philippine tarsiers, I suggest that you rather visit the official place run by the Philippine Tarsier Foundation: the Tarsier Research and Development Center in Corella, Bohol (also called as the The Philippine Tarsier and Wildlife Sanctuary, in case you want to see their reviews on TripAdvisor).

NOTE: To help you differentiate, the unethical one is located in Loboc; whereas this official sanctuary is located in Corella.

Here in Corella, you can choose to do 2 things: see and observe the tarsiers in an enclosure, or in their natural habitat through the Tarsier Trail.

Rest assured, the net enclosure is only where they keep the tarsiers during feeding, breeding and display. It’s actually a free environment and it’s only enclosed to keep possible predators (cats, etc.). Besides, the tarsiers can jump out if it whenever they want to. In here, you are also allowed to take pictures without flash but only quietly so as not to disturb the tarsiers who are asleep.

The Tarsier Trail, on the other hand, is a pathway that goes through a 134-hectare area of wilderness — you can hike through it with a guide in order to try and catch a glimpse of a Philippine tarsier in the wild (while also acquainting yourself with the local flora and fauna).

» How to get there?

This Tarsier Sanctuary is located 14 km from Tagbilaran (provincial capital of Corella) and 20 km from Loboc. To get here, you can take a bus that goes to Sikatuna. From there, you just need to walk in until you see their ticketing office.

(You can also ask your hotel for directions. Just remember to stress that you want to go to the one in Corella and NOT Loboc.)

» Further Details

Website: [link]
Opening Hours: 9.00 to 16.00Ticket Price: Php 50 ($1) guided tour inside the enclosureTime for Visit: 30-60 minutesRules: No flashes. Keep your voice low. NO touching of the tarsiers. Don’t stay too long in one tarsier (5 minutes will do).Trail: As it is a natural environment, expect the trail to be muddy when it rains. Umbrellas are not allowed if it rains so bring a rain coat if ever.Trivia: You can also volunteer here! It will be a great experience to learn more about tarsiers..

Overall

As travelers, I find it imperative for us to exercise responsible tourism. Therefore, I urge you to take the alternative and avoid supporting businesses — such as that of the Loboc Tarsier Conservation Area — that do not contribute to the well-being and survival of endangered tarsiers.

I know that we all want to be “up-and-close” to such animals who are unique, and that’s fine. But only for as long as we make the conscious effort to ensure that our actions are not contributing to the problem, but rather contributing to a solution.

That being said, I also hope that you help spread this to others who are planning to visit Bohol so that they can make an informed choice!

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

55 comments

I'm going to Bohol in December... I was wondering which sanctuary I should visit as I'm aware some conservation centers aren't really honest with tourist... Thank you for this informations, I will go to the one in Corella!

My mission? To show you how it is absolutely possible to create a life of travel too (no matter the odds), and I will help you achieve that through my detailed travel guides, adventures, resources, tips, and MORE!